Category Archives: Uni year three

Evaluation

Evaluation

 

In the first stages of creating an idea for this major project I knew I wanted to create something for a niche market. The reason being is because the smaller the market the less likely that the idea has already been done. I immediately thought that student journalists like myself would be a great niche market as it can be difficult to get your foot in the door.

 

The idea of creating a website I thought was a great idea as journalism is becoming more online and therefore more interactive. After pitching the idea to my tutors they to thought it was a good idea and they was a conversation about it possibly being used as a central hub for the students on my course.

 

As I have researched other news websites I had a clear mind on how the website should function and how it should look to denote a news website. I am very happy with the overall style of my website and the fact that through researching drags and drop website hosts I managed to find one that cost me £10 for the whole year.

 

Speaking of functionality I thought about my user feedback which Christopher Kelly mentioned to be about the confusion between the menus and I have now rectified this problem. I now see the confusion that having a button for two different navigational purposes could have had on users of my website. I am now fully happy with the functions of my website.

 

I think that the website as a whole looks good as an imitation news website. I think that it has a student feel to it also. The pages which host the articles are mimics of actual news outlets article layouts. Therefore I know that the design works as it is tried and tested on main stream news outlets daily.

 

Unfortunately, although I tried to receive articles from other places of education my attempts failed.  After sending numerous emails and speaking in person to media and English teachers no one emailed me with their articles despite promises from the tutors. However, at the time when I was emailing the tutors I could not provide them with what my website looks like as it was not finished. Next time, I will make sure that the website is finished before asking people to contribute. I believe that it was a bad move on my behalf not to have it finished sooner. I also think I would have had a lot more articles that what I have now if I had have finished the website earlier than what I did.

 

However, my website still has a very large collection of articles from the students on my course in all three years that I am very pleased about. I am very happy that nearly all the students wanted to contribute to my website as they liked me idea in general.

 

One of my services that I offered was to amend articles if they was offensive or needed editing for spelling or grammar. However, I have not had to do this yet as I expected because the articles where given to me by other student journalist who should have a good knowledge of grammar and spelling.

 

If I was to go over the entire process again there are certain aspects that I would do again, given more time. The section on the front page which is about journalistic apps I would ask the owners if I could include links within my websites and possibly ask students to review the apps themselves so other students have more than just my word that they were useful.

 

I would take the photographs myself rather than using some royalty free ones courtesy of GoDaddy.

 

All in all, given the time frame I was given I think to produce a fully functioning website with documentation I think my website is good in general. But, I also think that if more time was given I would have been able to publicise my website more than what I have done. I managed to post it up on the social media websites Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

Feedback/User Testing

Christopher Kelly – after visiting the website, I thought that the website would be more user friendly if the subheadings in the menu didn’t display all the subcategories. This is because it diverts your attention from the fact you can click one and it takes you to a page that has all the articles on it.

If Jade did not tell me that you could click the sub heading itself I don’t think I would have clicked on them at all.

 

I also pointed out that the heading ‘Contact Us’ was to broad, I suggest changing it to submit your article as it is more direct.

 

Christopher Valentine – Presentation
The colour scheme for your website is great. The red white and black come together to create a vibrant contrast and all the writing stands out really well. The decision to go with a lead story and three supporting stories on the home page was a great idea, and as a result the site looks clean and easy to navigate.

Content
The articles that have been curated and presented as of this moment are really good. They give a clear indication about both Hull as a city and pop culture in general at the moment. When all the drop down menus at the top of the site are full of news items the site will look busy. This is a good thing as long as the newest content is always well managed.

Conclusion
I really like this website. While the title of it may be slightly cheesy, it works…well. Like really well. I can see it going far if a strong level of dedication to it is maintained.

 

Stevie Rial- Hi Jade website looks good, like the title for the site, one comment regarding colours clashing is on the headers menu where the black text doesn’t seem clear on the red background, layout of site is good, top website overall.

Neonn videos article

Neonn Videos is a new Video Production company looking to do great things in the City.

Started by two Hull graduates, Ben Underwood and Jack Waller have got off to a great start in the run up to the City of Culture 2017.

Neonn Videos, originally named Neon Avenue started in May 2013. Ben said “Myself and Jack have always worked really well with each other in university; it was just a shame that they never sat directly next to each other in the first place.”

His passion for film began when he was just 14 years old, producing a short comedy film back in the days when he used Windows Movie Maker. “I really enjoy making people laugh through video. It’s sort of emotional because it’s your work and people’s reactions make you really proud that you created that particular video.”

But the desire to make films didn’t quite happen as simple as that for graduate Jack. “Initially I got a job to pay the bills but my dad always wanted to be a mechanic, it was his dream for me.” Jack decided to join the army as his means to make a living for himself.

“I always look back to when someone made a video of me and other individuals in the army for our regiments, I remember thinking, I don’t want to do this, I want to do what that guy does!”

Jack then left the army in pursuit of his new dream of creating videos. “I never did too well at Wyke College when I studied film and media studies.” But after attending university at The Hull School of Art and Design I did much better. He continued to study media, where he met his new co-worker Ben.

Ben also mentioned that he didn’t do too well at college but they both worked together whilst in higher education and created the Neonn Video brand. The idea to develop the business whilst in university worked much quicker than they ever imagined.

Having no training in business but expertise in video production they both agreed they needed help planning. Jack said “We used Net 315 a business start-up company to help us with things like finances and for a lot of useful hints and tips on how to run a successful business.”

Currently they are working for local businesses such as Fellowes Packaging and Ideal Heating. Ben said “We love to work and focus on clients and people from Hull as we feel like we have a huge connection with our home town.”

“Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of work for people in the media industry here and we felt like we had to create our own opportunity to fulfil our dreams. The idea of creating opportunities through our company for others is great.”

As Hull won the award for The City of Culture, 2017, the two graduates are producing content to promote the city. “We think it’s great that Hull won The City of Culture and I hope it creates a lot more jobs and video opportunities for people like us.” said Jack.

https://www.facebook.com/neonn.videos?fref=ts

http://www.neonn.co.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/user/NeonAvenueVideo

 

 

Wildlife park

Students studying Fine Art at The Hull School of Art and Design have been invited to a Wildlife Park close to the heart of the city. The students want to see if they can make a uninhabited part of the wildlife garden entertaining for people to enjoy during the summer period.

 

The wildlife park is located in Pearson Park, Princess Avenue, Pearson Park happens to be the first public park opened in Hull.

 

The visitors at the wildlife park describe Hull as a prestigious city, particularly when wildlife is involved. The students believe that they can bring the garden to life again.

 

The Wildlife Park is a host to families of creepy crawlies; flowers that are getting ready to bloom and a whole range of activities aimed at families, specifically children.

 

Harriet Linfoot, employee at The Wildlife Park has expressed her excitement about the parks potential and can’t wait to see what the students think can be done with the space currently vacant there.

 

Harriet says, “The new curriculum, which will run through the summer, has a lot about exploration, outdoors, wildlife and even simple things such as seasonal changes.

 

Considering that this wildlife garden is in the middle of the city, it is probably under used. We want to find new ways to encourage people to come to the site, and really experience the site”

 

The project that has been handed to the Fine Art students is to see if they can help to regenerate a deserted area using their individual ideas. They explored the park to come up with what they think will ‘revitalize it’

 

One Hull student, Ryan Tuton reminisces about their child hood experiences of the park “The last time I was here I was quite young, so I can easily relate back to my childhood.  Seeing the animals, seeing the plants and how I interacted with them growing up, and how could I improve the place. I’ve always been very arty so it’s quite easy to say oh, we could have a mosaic out here or we could have some mini sculptures in the trees.”

 

Another student, Shauna Marshall thinks that the park needs to incorporate the adults into the fun to. “They have got herbs growing which people are allowed to harvest for themselves, so mainly for the adults more than the kids but, if they had tickets in the ground, like a trail which have recipes on that they can use the herbs in. That might be quite a nice idea.”

 

During the summer there are workshops running from the middle of April until the end of June, for the public to explore.

 

The student’s projects to enhance the garden will be completed by June ; the Wildlife Park, although open all year round, is highlighted best when nature peaks in the summer, which is when their completed projects will be in full effect.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0AEbfxnNGU extended version of video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZml8ynFNGs short version without piece to camera

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p5hQfCwGug short version with piece to camera

creative 1 night

Creative one night

 

At the beginning of every month Paul is the proud owner of a creative night. In which creative people come along and express ideas of what they want to do. If anyone has attended that wants to take up the opportunities that people present they can.

 

For instance, on one occasion a man called ‘Rob’ came to the January creative one meeting with an idea for a theatre performance. (I have filmed him). Members of the audiences, although wasn’t interested in investing gave Rob some useful hints and tips which they had picked up through working in the industry.

 

Having turned up to a few of the meetings, Paul had asked me if I would like to film one of the sessions for him. This video would be used as a promotional device for the creative one meetings.

 

Having agreed to create a promotional video for him, I turned up to the January event and commenced filming. I have raw footage and the video that I edited together I will include in my submission.

 

The video is a brief summary of what the nights are about and have a few speakers to explain what happens at the night for people who have not attended before. Including several journalists, Paul Dennis Graphic designer and a theatre script writer.

 

Joey Aitchison article

 

‘Joey Aitchison owner of JWA creations is a local photographer of Hull, specialising in band and glamour photography.

 

From a young age, Joey found his passion for photography through the medium of cherished copies of David Bailey and David La Chappelle photographical works from a beloved Uncle.

 

”When I was younger, my uncle gave me a book of David Bailey’s greatest works, the fascination started from there really.”

 

 At this time, Joey acquired disposable cameras and tried his artistic hand at capturing some of his own evocative images. While having limited access to transportation, he utilized his immediate surroundings of Hull which tended to be popular attractions such as the Humber Bridge and the Humber Marina.

 

Purchasing his treasured Canon 7D camera he began focusing on specific fields of photography. From the architectural works, he progressed on to creative accentuations of the subtle beauty within the female form. Employing the assistance of a close friend, Joey explored the crucial points of his budding style in glamorous photo shoots, which can be viewed via Flickr. His close friend, Chloe Hill, commented on his professional prowess as follows:

 

“I’ve modelled more than once for JWA and have loved it every time. With how professional yet laid back he can be at the same time, he’s made me more confident. I also hired him for my wedding and was over the moon with how the pictures turned out and the album he made me. I would highly recommended Joey’s skill from a model’s and a customer’s perspective. ” 

 

Joey was fascinated with the art of strategically placed items within a photo and found himself amidst the grips of an urge to discover his own dexterity within said industry.  He quickly gained a keen eye for lens based photography and pursued his interest and developed his skill through university.

 

 “I always found the way that things where strategically placed within photography amazing and it made me want to try myself.”

 

Personality wise, Joey appears to always be up for a challenge. Recently, local Hull bands have approached him to produce candid photos of their performances. The first band ‘The Colour Line’ wanted to hire him to produce promotional images. They wanted him to design album covers and concert posters.

 

Eventually Joey attended their live performances and documented them through photography, which kick started his line of band and music based photography.  Two other indigenous bands closely followed. ‘An Act of Treason’ and ‘The Shed Club’, his freelancing career is now progressing well.

 

Joey commented on his current strain of photography amidst Hull as follows:

“Part of living in Hull that I really like is the music scene; it has so much to offer in terms of night life and locations. I find O’Rileys and Fruit to be excellent places to produce band photography.” ‘

Plan for portfolio

For this professional practice module I am going to create a website that acts as a showcase of my work, It will display my work which I think is fit to display to potential employers.

The work I would like to include is the following –

1.)    My photography work

2.)    My video work

3.)    Journalism articles

4.)    Work for any clients

5.)    Social media side of me

6.)    Any relevant links to websites I am involved in

As well as a website I would like to produce an offline portfolio so that when I have interviews I have a back-up of work in case their internet doesn’t work or there is a problem with the website I am currently using. I think that this shows that I am self-resourceful and think of all possible outcomes as a journalist should.

I will document this process as I go along detailing how I am going to promote myself as a journalist and why it will work.

Prior to this, this document will also be a host to the Journalism and Digital media 2014 Degree Show. It will include details of what role I have played in the creating of The Degree Show and how I will display my work on the night.

The night of the degree show is June 6th 2014.